Free Whispers of the Heart by Ruth Scofield

sermon,” David said with a nod.
    What had Jesus said? Autumn didn’t want to admit she didn’t know, so she merely nodded in return. She’d look it up in Uncle William’s Bible and read it for herself when she returned home.
    Meanwhile, she turned back to stare at the space again, and the morning light. She’d had every intention of turning down this offer, but now she knew she wanted to do it. More than merely wanted to, she felt a compelling need to fill this wall with figures to represent those of long ago.
    â€œAll right,” she murmured slowly. “But I want to work with this early morning light. From just after dawn.”
    They’d accept that explanation easily enough, they wouldn’t have to suspect her other reasons for not working later into the day.
    â€œI, um, don’t want to work any later than midmorning at the stretch. Will someone be here to unlock the doors at so early an hour?”
    The minister nodded. “I’ll see to it.”
    â€œAnd what about, um…traffic? I’m afraid I couldn’t work with people coming and going.”
    â€œI think we can fix that. Now that it’s warmed up, I can block this passage to traffic and direct the workers and others to cross from one building to the other outside, if necessary. That way you won’t be interrupted.”
    A weight lifted from her shoulders. If she could work from first light until about the time when everyone else would be coming in to work, she’d be comfortable. None of her usual fear would interfere. “When would you like me to begin?”
    â€œOh, soon as possible,” David answered quickly.
    â€œThe wall has to be primed,” she told them.
    â€œNo problem,” Brent said, even quicker. “We’ll get it done next week.”
    Only after that did the minister look at the examples of her work. They discussed the layout of the mural and she promised to bring preliminary sketches by before the end of the following week to show to his board.
    â€œGreat. Wow, this is terrific,” David said. “Say,I’m ready to find some breakfast. You two want to come on to my house and let Wendy fix us up?”
    Brent glanced at her questioningly.
    â€œOh, no thank you. I really must get back,” Autumn told him. She wasn’t ready to meet more new people just yet.
    â€œThanks for the invitation, David,” Brent added. “Autumn has a new puppy to take care of and she promised to take Buttons out for a morning walk just as soon as we returned. Didn’t you, Autumn?”
    â€œYes. Yes, I did.”
    â€œSome other time soon, though,” Brent added, “and say hello to Wendy, please.”
    Somehow she thought Brent just might haul her out by the scruff of the neck if she didn’t follow through with her promise to walk Buttons. She thought about it all the way back to their street.
    Well, she would do it. She’d take Buttons out just the minute she was home. Surely it wouldn’t be too crowded if she walked westward. And she didn’t have to stay out long.
    Brent parked in his usual parking spot and turned off the motor. Autumn opened her door as he opened his.
    â€œC’mon, I’ve just about enough time before my first appointment to walk with you this morning.”
    â€œOh, that isn’t necessary.”
    She might like his company too much.
    â€œIsn’t it?” He seemed unconvinced. “Well, I need the exercise, too. C’mon, you run up and get Buttons and we’ll be back before you know it.”
    But just as she stood on the sidewalk once more,Buttons in her arms, Laureen drove up in her sleek black car.
    â€œBrent, there you are. I tried to catch you at home, but you’d already gone.”
    While Laureen ignored Autumn after one dark glance, Brent tossed her an apologetic one before he strolled over to Laureen’s car.
    â€œI hoped you might have breakfast with